Written by: Lisa Kindle, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
After the past few months, I think we can all agree that a little reprieve from life would be nice.
Well, you’re in luck because September is Self-Care Awareness Month. Rather than talk about
all the “normal” ways you can take care of yourself, I challenge you to take a more creative
approach to self-care!
I find a way to spend time in nature nearly every day. My go-to form of creative self-care is to go on a walk. It gets me out of my office, the house, away from everything I have to take care of. When I take these walks, I will almost always have a camera because it’s part of my de stressing. These walks are a contemplative way of “seeing” things rather than being focused only on the walk itself.
Another way I use nature to connect with my inner-creative self is through nature walks where I create a mandala using objects found along the way such as leaves, pinecones, rocks, feathers, flowers, sea glass, sticks, etc.
There are many opportunities for you to experience the benefits of self-care while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Sit near a lake
Lounge on a beach
Go rock hunting
Take a walk Watch the clouds
Go kayaking
Mountain biking
Go hiking in a remote area
Draw shapes in the sand
Make a mandala
Relax in a hammock
Watch a sunset
Watch a sunrise
Go stargazing
The ultimate gift you can give yourself is the actual act of doing your self-care. It’s in the process that you will find relief. It’s when you are in the moment of walking, collecting rocks, watching a sunset or stargazing .... suddenly you may find that everything else falls away and it’s just you and the stars, the moon, the sunset, the beach.... You remember a forgotten dream. It sparks something within you. It gives you something to be excited about when you get up in the morning.
By taking the time for a more creative act of self-care, it truly goes beyond your regular exercise routine, eating right and making time to relax. This is about connecting with your spirit and getting excited about life. For me, that’s my family, my work and my passions, such as walking, drawing, painting and photography. See you outside!
Lisa M. Kindle, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Lisa Kindle, a therapeutic art life coach and leader in building a creative community that inspires people worldwide, is dedicated to a creative lifestyle with a personable approach and an artsy twist! She now coaches one-on-one and in group settings, including retreats and workshops. With over 25 years of professional experience as a corporate designer, photographer, graphic designer, small business owner, and all-around visionary, Lisa's creative spirit shines through connecting people and ideas.